EBDT presents ‘Where You Are’
CLEARWATER — “Where You Are,” by Kristen Da Silva, opened Jan. 11 at the Early Bird Dinner Theater, 13355 49th St. N., Clearwater.
The production will run through Feb. 14. The price for buffet and show is $50 including tax. Call 727-446-5898 for reservations. For availability, visit earlybirddinnertheater.com or email susan.ebdt@yahoo.com.
Directed by Stephen Riordan, the cast of this production features Domenic Bisesti, Colleen Coughenour, Janice Creneti and Jennifer Lauriello. Mike Arnold is stage managing. Mariana Montoya, Erin Laugen, Devan Malone and Stephen Riordan are understudies.
“This wonderful play is as funny as it is heartwarming,” said Susan Linardos, producer. “It is a love letter to my Canadian patrons.”
This is the first show Riordan has directed at Early Bird.
“I’m so excited to be making my Early Bird directorial debut with this special play and fabulous cast,” Riordan said. “‘Where You Are’ is a heartfelt comedy about family, home, and love. I hope you can join us as these four hilarious humans from rural Manitoulin Island, Ontario, remind us to laugh when things get hard, always feed the chickens, and to never forget where you are from.”
The next production from Early Bird will be the comedy “Baggage,” directed by Janice Creneti, opening Feb. 28.
Reggae Rise Up Florida announces complete lineup for 2026
ST. PETERSBURG — After a year of record-breaking ticket sales, Reggae Rise Up Florida will return to Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg, running March 12-15.
The state’s most beloved reggae celebration and the nation’s largest touring reggae festival once again brings a roster of top talent to the Gulf Coast. This year’s lineup delivers the dynamic mix fans have come to expect and mixes up iconic headliners with rising voices that reflect the festival’s remarkable decade of growth, including legendary flower power hip-hop pioneers and musical force for good De La Soul, and 311, U.S. rockers known for blending alternative rock, reggae, funk, and rap and delivering laid-back grooves with high-energy riffs and positive vibes.
Following is a look at the scheduled performers:
Thursday, March 12 — Slightly Stoopid, Cypress Hill, Pepper, Roots of Creation, and The Rhythm-Inya
Friday, March 13 — Iration, Soja, The Hip Abduction, Yelawolf, Skip Marley, Satsang, Rik Jam, and more
Saturday, March 14 — Rebelution, De La Soul, Protoje, The Expendables, Tribal Seeds, Ballyhoo!, Kash’d Out and additional artists
Sunday, March 15 — Sublime, 311, Steel Pulse, Little Stranger, Common Kings, G. Love & Special Sauce, and more
For tickets and up-to-date festival information, visit www.reggaeriseup.com
Valentwe’en 2026 celebrates dark side of mermaids
ST. PETERSBURG — Valentwe’en 2026 will mark the return of the Grim Cupid and his special brand of gothic Valentine’s Day events.
Born in St. Pete in 2015, Valentwe’en blends Halloween, eco-spirit, and supernatural romance. This year, the art show at the center of the series of events focuses on “the Dark Sirenade,” with a theme revolving around the dark side of the mermaid: the siren and her song. There is currently a call for artists to participate in the show. It is free to participate in this lightly juried art show. Each artist may submit one wired work, properly framed and ready for hanging. Submissions should reflect the theme of mermaids, sirens, Gothic Valentine’s Day, and dark sirenades. Artists of all levels are invited to submit and participate in the event.
For information, email brandybstark13@gmail.com.
Following is a look at Valentwe’en 2026 events:
• St. Pete’s Valentwe’en: Love, Spirits, and Lore — Thursday, Jan. 29, 1-2:30 p.m., in the Continuing Education Center at Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave. S., St. Petersburg. Led by Dr. Brandy Stark, the program will explore haunted hearts, ghostly courtships, and stories with data on local lore and legends that shaped this quirky holiday. Cost is $12 for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members and $27 for nonmembers. Registration is required. Visit https://ce.olli.eckerd.edu/Eckerd.
• Metaphysical Crystal 101 Workshop — Saturday, Feb. 7, 4-6 p.m., in the Creative Loft at ArtLofts, 10 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg. Learn the basics of the metaphysical properties of crystals. This 2-hour session will also include a jewelry make and take, and a sneak peek at this year’s Valentwe’en show. Cost is $50 a person. Seats are limited. Tickets may be purchased at www.spiritsofstpete.com.
• Haunted History Trolley Tour — Wednesday, Feb. 11, 6:30-8 p.m. Dr. Brandy Stark will be leading a Haunted History trolley tour for the St. Petersburg Museum of History that includes a stop at ArtLofts for a special sneak preview of the show. Tickets range from $35 to $40 and may be purchased at www.spmoh.org.
• St. Petersboo Walking Ghost Tour — Friday, Feb. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at 501 Central Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Dr. Brandy Stark will lead an interactive haunted walking tour of downtown St. Petersburg. As it is a Friday the 13th, the tour has a special discount code of Valentween13 to save $13.13 per person. 13 spots are available. Tickets may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-petersboo-interactive-walking-ghost-tour-tickets-1979001901962?aff=erelpanelorg.
• Valentwe’en 2026: The Dark Sirenade show opening — Saturday, Feb. 14, 5-9 p.m., at ArtLofts, 10 Fifth St. N., St. Petersburg. Lady Darjuxena will be back with a sultry sea-themed belly dance, the SPIRITS of St. Petersburg will be on hand to share ghost stories. There also will be oracle/tarot card readers, and a bone oracle reader.
• Roser Park Walking Ghost Tour — Saturday, Feb. 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at roserparkishaunted.com.
REH announces new appointments to board of directors
CLEARWATER — Susan M. Crockett, Ruth Eckerd Hall president and CEO, recently announced that the Ruth Eckerd Hall Inc. board of directors has named the following community volunteers to serve an initial term of one year beginning January 2026:
• Philip Beauchamp, former CEO, Morton Plant Mease Health Care, Inc.
• Adam Bouchard, executive vice president, McLennan Marsh & Co.
• Connie DeWeese Kacer, former CPA, Wardlow & Cash, P.A.
• Chuck Philips, attorney, Philips & Raaymakers, PLLC
• Casey Phillips, team reporter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The 25-member leadership body provides strategic direction, advisement, and fiduciary responsibility for organizational assets to ensure that the Ruth Eckerd Hall Inc. mission of “Changing Lives Through the Performing Arts” continues its award-winning and wide-reaching impact in the Tampa Bay region and beyond.
In addition, the 2026 officer slate was appointed:
• Beth England, chair
• Karen Seel, vice chair
• Adam Abelson, treasurer
• Joyce Cotton, secretary
• Debbie White, immediate past chair
“The best advocates are those who understand the importance of the arts and bring that passion, charitable commitment, and solid business acumen to the Director role,” Crockett said. “Our board continues to provide the oversight and support critical to mission success.”
‘Triumph’ screening set for MLK Day
TAMPA — WEDU PBS will mark the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday with a free community screening of its documentary film, “Triumph: Tampa’s Untold Chapter in the Civil Rights Movement,” on Monday, Jan. 19, 3 p.m., at Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa.
The screening, hosted by Film Tampa Bay, is free with registration. To register, visit wedu.org/triumphevent. The program also includes several short films produced by Bay-area Black filmmakers and a filmmaker panel including the director of “Triumph,” Danny Bruno.
In addition, WEDU will host a free screening on Thursday, Feb. 19, noon at Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor City Campus, followed by a post-screening panel as part of Black History Month.
These community events follow the sold-old November 2025 premiere at Tampa Theatre and the film’s on-air debut broadcast in December. “Triumph” is available for streaming at wedu.org/triumph. WEDU and PBS stations across Florida will air encores on MLK Day and again in February in conjunction with Black History Month. For times, check local listings.
The film is slated for national distribution later this year. WEDU also welcomes schools, libraries, faith communities and civic organizations to host screenings. Inquiries should be made to Marti Galloway, mgalloway@wedu.org.
For more information, visit wedu.org/triumph.
Alan Parsons concert rescheduled
CLEARWATER — Due to a scheduling conflict, an upcoming concert featuring Grammy winner Alan Parsons Live Project at The BayCare Sound has been rescheduled.
Tickets purchased for Saturday, March 28, will be honored on the new date, Sunday, March 29, at 8 pm. Tickets are on sale now. For information, call 727-791-7400 or visit www.rutheckerdhall.com.
Leo Kottke postpones tour
CLEARWATER — Leo Kottke has announced that due to illness he has been forced to postpone his upcoming tour which includes a date at the Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 8 p.m.
A new date will be announced soon, and tickets will be honored on that new date. For more information, visit www.RuthEckerdHall.com.
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